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Jun 19, 2018

Spreading the News-ie!

By Joanne Colella

Have you heard the big news? Newsies is coming to the Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) in Deal Park! The venue has been earning applause as the Garden State’s newest professional theater, and is conveniently located just five minutes from downtown Asbury Park, with free parking and numerous restaurants nearby to enjoy dinner and a show. At this lovely, modern, intimate theater, there’s not a bad seat in the house – in fact, it seats just 500, so don’t fret if you don’t happen to have a view from the front row.

Residents and visitors from throughout the area are encouraged to come and take the opportunity to see all that APAC has to offer to their enthusiastic audiences – including their latest production, which runs this month from June 1 through June 17. The Disney musical Newsies was a smash hit on Broadway, delighting fans of all ages. Before landing on the Great White Way, the show, which was based on a 1992 film, made its world premiere onstage 19 years later at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn. It received tremendous acclaim from critics and fans alike and moved to Broadway in 2012, where it was honored with eight Tony Award nominations and won for Best Score and Best Choreography.

With an experienced and talented cast, Newsies reenacts the true story about a group of New York City newsboys who formed a union in 1899 and protested against the publisher of a prominent Manhattan newspaper, going on a two-week strike for fair wages and treatment and ultimately impacting two major newspapers. Through a litany of rousing musical numbers, beautiful ballads, and high-energy dance, the show provides insight on the poignant backgrounds and intertwined relationships of the newsboys and the actions they take. Axelrod Artistic Director proudly notes, “Newsies is one of those heart-stopping musicals that explodes with energy and emotion. It’s perfect for the entire family!”

True to their mission of presenting main-stage musicals with casts and production teams from New York City and beyond, the Axelrod staging of Newsies is directed and choreographed by renowned Broadway veteran Marcos Santana. His recent production of the show earned a Carbonell Award, which recognizes excellent theater in South Florida each year. This will be his debut event at the Deal venue, and he brings with him an impressive list of credentials for his work on Broadway, including Guys and Dolls, In the Heights, On Your Feet, and Rocky. He received Tony nominations for both On Your Feet and Rocky for his contributions as choreographer. The music for Newsies was created by Alan Menken – the famed composer whose work includes Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Little Shop of Horrors, and A Bronx Tale – with lyrics by Jack Feldman, performed under the musical direction of Andrew Sotomayer. The musical’s book was written by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.

Mark your calendar and spread the news! Disney’s Newsies will take the stage on June 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16 at 8 p.m.; on June 3, 10, and 17 at 3 p.m.; and on June 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online at axelrodartscenter.com, by phone at 732-531-9106 ext. 14, or in person at the box office. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is located at 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park. The theater offers senior and student discounts, plus ample, free, onsite parking. The venue is also completely handicap accessible. Be sure to check their website and their Facebook page for details on this and other stellar productions, programs, and concerts that are planned throughout the year. Upcoming events include Disney’s High School Musical, a 50th anniversary celebration of Hair in Concert, the Doo Wop Project, a ballet of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the opera Carmen, and the musical “Annie.”